[Official Black Friday LAPTOPS Discussion Thread]

Or you could buy a different Black Friday laptop deal (not a doorbuster) for about the same money or probably a little less than that Mac and enjoy the same 5 - 8 years.

Windows laptops aren't simply prone to dying earlier than Macs because they're not Macs.  They use the same processors, the same video cards, the same RAM, the same hard drives (or at least they can if you shop smartly).  It's user behavior that kills Windows machines prematurely.  Be a smart computer user and enjoy your toys for a longer period of time.

 

I'm "that guy" who friends and family come to for computer help.  

 

Macs are great machines.  They're like Porsches.  Very high-quality components, therefore very reliable and give top notch performance.  But they cost more because they have more expensive components, don't have the same economies of scale and they've created an image that some people are willing to pay extra to be associated with.  They're a status symbol.  And maintenance is more expensive as replacement parts are not as prevalent and also high quality.  

 

Windows computers are like GM vehicles.  Some GM vehicles are cheap and not terribly great cars (think Chevy Spark, Cruze), but they get the basic job done.  Some are solid vehicles that cost 70% of the Porsche but may perform 95% as well and maybe even handle specialized tasks that the Porsche can't (Chevy Camaro, GMC Sierra, Buick Enclave). And some are high quality that perform on par with the Porsche for a similar price and maybe even less (Corvette, CTS-V).  

 

Same with Toyota, they have some quality entry models in Scion and Corolla, Camry, etc, really solid offerings in the Lexus brand and cars that will run right along side the Porsche in the F series.

 

Honda has a wider selection in the entry level with Civic and Accord and a slew of other little SUVs and stuff, the Acura brand in the mid range and the flagship NSX.

 

There are even brands that only make machines even better than Porsche - think McLaren, Bugatti.  The same is true with computers if you know where to look.

 

Porsche simply doesn't offer entry level cars and Apple doesn't offer entry level computers.  But you can still wreck a Porsche and poor user behavior can still mess up a Mac.

 

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You just have to know what you're looking for.  Generally speaking, on any given day, I can spec you a Windows machine with the same or better hardware than a Mac for less money than the Mac.  But if you have money to spend, and you want a status symbol, then both the Porsche and the Mac are fine choices.  

 

Also, Mac's OS is different than Windows and if you're used to Windows, it's up to you how long it will take to get comfortable with the new system.  Some people adapt easily.  Others never do.

 

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Looking at Mac spec sheets are always a good place to start looking if you want to know what to look for in a Windows machine.

You sound like you know what you are talking about.  I definitely need a new laptop.  I have an old Lenovo, upgraded the ram last summer, and performance hasn't improved.  I'm looking at 8 GB Ram, 1 TB hard drive and not sure what processor I need for a good performance.  Right now mine is a 2.1 and think that is my problem.  There are a few reasonably priced models on best buy with these qualities, but the processor doesn't seem much better.  Could you tell me what I should be looking for and then I can check on sales?  Thanks

[xm radio costs???]

I originally found this deal on Fat Wallet. I'm on my third time renewing for the $20. The trick is to always hit the extention for cancelling. I get it every time. Can't beat $4 a month!